Melinda's research area focuses on understanding vulnerability and resilience in children’s mental health. The central aim is to find ways to promote resilience and reduce the intergenerational effects of vulnerability in families. She has a strong focus on workforce development and system change to help children and their families get the care they need, particularly in low resource and rural settings.

Melinda has a PhD in Neuroscience and Psychology and MBSc in Behavioural Science from La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. I have been a lecturer in Psychology and currently is the unit co-ordinator of a research methods postgraduate course, Designing and Conducting Health Research (SRH5003). She works as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Rural Health at Monash University, part-time, alongside a translational research and policy role in workforce development at Emerging Minds, delivering the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health. She has an established track record and demonstrable research impacts in the field of workforce development supporting families facing adversities and child mental health issues. She translates research into practice by working with industry partners to facilitate the translation of new evidence that addresses gaps in systems of care for both for vulnerable families and for children at risk of mental health difficulties.  

Melinda brings over 15 years of experience in policy formation, research and evaluation, workforce development and strategic advisory roles that aim to improve the mental health of Australians, especially in supporting the workforce in promoting the mental health of families and children. 

Read more about her work: Monash Lens and her latest publication.